Monsoon, a major fashion retailer in the UK, has unexpectedly shut down one of its branches in a high street battle. The closure was confirmed at the Gyle Centre location in Edinburgh. Details about the closure, including the reasons behind it and the number of jobs affected, remain unknown.
Store Closure Announcement
Staff at the Gyle Centre Monsoon branch put up signs announcing the closure of the store. The closure was sudden, and there is no information about the circumstances leading to it.
Retail Strategy Shift
According to a spokesperson, the closure of the Gyle Centre Monsoon Accessorize store is a result of the company's retail strategy to focus on opening Boutique Monsoon stores. The spokesperson mentioned the recent opening of a Boutique Monsoon store on George Street, along with an Accessorize store located at Edinburgh airport. Monsoon aims to expand its presence in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Nearest Monsoon Store
A note was posted on the doors of the closed store, informing customers that the nearest Monsoon location is now at 45 George Street in Edinburgh. The note expressed gratitude for the customers' support over the years and was signed by the "Team Gyle."
Effects of the Pandemic
In 2020, Monsoon and its sister store Accessorize announced the closure of 35 stores after going into administration. The COVID-19 pandemic had forced the temporary closure of all 220 stores, leading to the company's financial struggles. As a result, 35 stores were permanently closed, resulting in the loss of 545 jobs across the country.
However, the business was saved when 450 jobs were transferred to Adena Brands, which is also owned by Monsoon's founder, Peter Simon. To support the remaining stores, the company committed to injecting £15 million into the retailer.
